The making of ‘Spirit Wanderer, Spiritual Wandering’ & presenting at a PechaKucha night

* 5th Post from TanColeArtist.com website

Just a couple of days away now and I will be one of the presenters at the next PechaKucha Dunsborough night ~fun! Below is a little description of how I created my Ms Spirit Wanderer painting which is featured on the latest PechaKucha poster.

It will be held at the The Pourhouse this Sunday evening at 6.30pm ~ pop on down for a listen!

“I felt the desire to express myself in a gentle and relaxed manner, at my art table one evening (rather than intuitively paint at my easel which involves dancing with creative energy and broad strokes). So I listened and painted ‘raw’, enjoying random strokes and applications of acrylic paint scraped onto the paper. Using various tools for mark making, I played with colour, etching and texture for some time until feathers and a vague hairline evolved. Her face also came into being in a light and gentle way, with loose drawing with a pencil onto wet paint. Acrylic inks and art pen brought her to life with splashes of vibrant magenta and details were laid down as she claimed her identity as another strong warrior woman of the past. American Indian Women spontaneously started appearing in my larger intuitive canvas paintings last year. I am not sure why, other than I feel that they need to convey a message or way forward for following the way of indigenous cultures in connecting with and caring for nature and our planet.

‘Spirit Wanderer, Spiritual Wanderer’ is reserved in my personal art collection. Here is an excerpt from my Facebook Reserved Artworks Album…”I keep certain pieces when they have spoken to me and moved me in some way. When I feel a visceral response to the thought of letting them go, I know they are mean’t to stay with me and continue to enrich or guide my life in some way. Sometimes it’s just the colours or merging of texture. Other times, it is the form or expression on a face or movement portrayed in a body. Perhaps I see part of my soul reflected back to me after painting it into the canvas? Pieces with insightful words and inspirational messages that help me become a better person also often stay with me. The beautiful thing is that, the pieces that speak to others, often go home with them and the artworks that are mean’t to stay with me do. That is part of the wonder and mystery of intuitive painting, listening and sharing of joy and beauty. Art and creating, truly is a beautiful gift all round.” Tanya Cole